28 WL6 River Avon Heritage Trail Start, route and finish This 10 mile (16km) long path, of which three sections of path totalling 3.3 miles (5.3km) are in West Lothian, starts in Avonbridge, in Falkirk District, and follows the river downstream to Inveravon, which is also in Falkirk. The path crosses the river at four points. The downstream sequence of the three sections of West Lothian are shown on F1, F2 and F3 opposite. Surfaces and features On the West Lothian sections the path is generally unsurfaced with some timber boarding over wet areas. The path is narrow and there are some steep gradients. The four bridges across the River Avon working downstream are at Strath Mill, Wallace’s Cave, Carriber Bridge, and the Union Canal Aqueduct, there is also a smaller bridge across the Lin Mill Burn. For the last 10 years the council, in conjunction with Falkirk Council, has been upgrading the path to make it more accessible. Signposting and waymarking is provided and a leaflet is available from the councils and local outlets. F The experience A very attractive walk through gorge woodland. The most spectacular crossing is where the path rises to join the Union Canal towpath to cross the river using the canal aqueduct. The Carriber Bridge, which is between the Torphichen Bridge and Muiravonside Country Park, has been recently constructed and is an innovative and impressive timber structure. This link to the canal also opens up circular walk opportunities from Linlithgow Bridge. Opportunities and constraints As the use of the path increases the need for improvement of certain areas may become more apparent. However, the path is difficult to reach to undertake surfacing work as this is very much a rural path some users are likely to resist much upgrading. The major improvements could well focus on providing more path link to the trail particularly from the Bathgate Hills.

WL6 River Avon Heritage Trail - westlothian.gov.uk · WL6 River Avon Heritage Trail Start, route and finish This 10 mile (16km) long path, of which three sections of path totalling

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WL6 River Avon Heritage Trail

Start, route and finish

This 10 mile (16km) long path, of which three sections of path totalling 3.3 miles (5.3km) are in West Lothian, starts in Avonbridge, in Falkirk District, and follows the river downstream to Inveravon, which is also in Falkirk. The path crosses the river at four points. The downstream sequence of the three sections of West Lothian are shown on F1, F2 and F3 opposite.

Surfaces and features

On the West Lothian sections the path is generally unsurfaced with some timber boarding over wet areas. The path is narrow and there are some steep gradients. The four bridges across the River Avon working downstream are at Strath Mill, Wallace’s Cave, Carriber Bridge, and the Union Canal Aqueduct, there is also a smaller bridge across the Lin Mill Burn.

For the last 10 years the council, in conjunction with Falkirk Council, has been upgrading the path to make it more accessible. Signposting and waymarking is provided and a leaflet is available from the councils and local outlets.

FThe experience

A very attractive walk through gorge woodland. The most spectacular crossing is where the path rises to join the Union Canal towpath to cross the river using the canal aqueduct. The Carriber Bridge, which is between the Torphichen Bridge and Muiravonside Country Park, has been recently constructed and is an innovative and impressive timber structure. This link to the canal also opens up circular walk opportunities from Linlithgow Bridge.

Opportunities and constraints

As the use of the path increases the need for improvement of certain areas may become more apparent. However, the path is difficult to reach to undertake surfacing work as this is very much a rural path some users are likely to resist much upgrading. The major improvements could well focus on providing more path link to the trail particularly from the Bathgate Hills.